Bo Graham Out as Sun Devils’ Running Backs Coach
By Kody Acevedo
Nov 28, 2014; Tucson, AZ, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils head coach Todd Graham in the huddle with players against the Arizona Wildcats during the 88th annual territorial cup at Arizona Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
The Arizona State Sun Devils will have a new running backs coach for the 2015 season, following the resignation of coach Bo Graham, son of Head Coach Todd Graham.
Reports Tuesday said that Graham resigned for “personal reasons.” No other details were given as the ASU athletic department was silent on the matter.
Todd Graham stayed silent until after Tuesday’s practice. But even then, he had very little to say.
Graham told AZCentral.com that his son left for what was called an “exciting opportunity,” but he did not go into any more detail. He also said he was grateful for his son’s time with the Sun Devils and wished him well with his new job.
Other than the bizarre announcement, it was business as usual for ASU on Tuesday. The Sun Devils carried on with their normal practice routine, while Graham shuffled around his coaching staff.
For starters, he replaced his son with Josh Martin, who served as the offensive graduate assistant working with the Offensive Line.
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AZCentral’s report on Tuesday said Martin worked with ASU’s tight ends and H-backs during practice. Tight ends coach Chip Long and offensive coordinator Mike Norvell assisted with the running backs
Graduate assistant Kenny Dillingham also will help with those positions as the season progresses, the report said. Graham will also grant more responsibilities to offensive assistant Taylor Kelly, who will help with the quarterbacks.
Sun Devils’ sophomore running back Jacom Brimhall was the only player allowed to speak to the media after practice. He said the guys are going to miss Coach Bo, but made it seem as though his absence won’t leave a gapping whole with the players.
Brimhall said the running backs know what Todd Graham expects from them. So, they will be okay moving forward.
Martin, Bo Graham’s replacement, said he is ready to go as the Sun Devils are just two weeks away from the start of the regular season. They kick things off in Houston, Texas when they take on Texas A&M on Saturday, September 5.
Graham was about to enter his fourth season with the team and his third as running backs coach. He was originally hired as the on-campus recruiting coordinator in his first year with the Maroon and Gold.
Prior to joining his father in Tempe, Graham spent the 2011 season as a graduate assistant and assistant wide receivers coach at Pitt.
He spent the previous year as the offensive coordinator at Central High School in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Graham also served two seasons as Tulsa’s running backs coach.